From John in England, March 20
The British Postal Museum & Archive:
‘Hen & Chicks’ Centre Cycles, c1882
Trials of pentacycles were held in Horsham, Sussex.
Although popular in some quarters, they never entered into the wider postal service.
From Jarina in The Netherlands,
March 2017
Promotion card for the Dutch edition of J.K. Rowling’s
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
From a Swedish friend back in 1994
The card was posted in Sweden, but probably bought in Oxford, England. (It says “Oxford Views” on the back.)
This is another one of those cards that sat for many years on a noticeboard in my previous flat. At the time when I received it, I was studying a part time distance course in basic theology (while also working full time in a job not at all related to that). The friend who sent it had/has similar interests + she and her husband (unlike me) also always travelled a lot (and still do...)
Postcards for the weekend 31
I found the second very funny! But all three postcards made me smile, sure!
ReplyDeleteI have to say these bikes are my favorite! And the men on them appear so dignified and upright! I wonder how hard they were to ride. One would also need a ladder or platform to perch on them, they are so high. I see your post below! The mirror! What a great idea. We have nothing like this. But we do have plenty of flowers and crosses on the place where people were killed due to traffic accidents.
ReplyDeleteGinny, I wouldn't dare try get up on one of those myself... But I guess at least they must have been easier to "park" than one with just two wheels!
DeleteI can relate to the third one, thought the first was a bit weird and quite liked the second.
ReplyDeleteNice selection! My favorite is the first one, and what a perfect choice it is for the odd category. I recall seeing those big wheel bikes but I don't recall seeing them with an additional four wheels. A curious and interesting card!
ReplyDeleteI've never seen any like that before either, John.
DeleteThe second one is very well done.... I kept going back to look at it...so I guess that's my choice.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the odd coincidence (for want of a better word) of the penny farthing bike's four wheels will be noticed by anyone. There were four farthings to a penny.
ReplyDeleteI didn't have a clue what you meant when I first read that comment, Graham. Had to look it up. Not sure I ever heard the name penny-farthing for a high wheel bike - and if I ever did, it obviously did not stick in my memory. Now it might, though! :)
DeleteI have never seen a 5 wheel cycle like these. pretty cool
ReplyDeleteA pentacycle is new to me. I can even see how they could reach the baskets fro their perch!
ReplyDeleteYes, but then what? Did they have really tall letterboxes as well back then...? (lol)
DeleteI like the penny farthing bikes. Don't think I've every seen them with the four little extra wheels. They look like the trainer wheels they have on little childrens' bicycles until they learn to balance properly.
ReplyDeletePauline, I thought of that too :) I was late in learning to cycle, and did not have trainer wheels on my own bike, but sometimes I used to borrow the bicycle of a friend, who had them...
DeleteI laughed at the 'popular in some quarters' comment on the bikes, wondering how? I would like to have a go on one of those with their extra wheels, I have never been tempted by a penny farthing! The Potter card is my favourite.
ReplyDeleteThe first one stands out for me. I can't imagine how does one go up and down these tall bikes ... Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThe second is my favourite but the third is so true!
ReplyDelete